5.0 out of 5 starsdetailed and informative for the novice, 23 Nov. 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols (Paperback)

I found this book to be of tremendous help when choosing a Tabriz - Isfahan carpet. PRJ Ford gives a detailed summary of the regions and then discusses the individual designs. I found the knots per square meter to be very useful, thereby establishing the finer or coarser weave of the carpet. The author also comments on the influences the tribe and villagers at the time used in their carpets. The full colour layout of the photographs make it easy to identify the various carpets when thinking of buying. Very useful guide and a must to have.

This review is from: Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols (Paperback)

If you are interested in oriental carpets either to purchase, or to learn more about them this is the best general book around. The book is separated into types of design woven rather than what carpet is woven in a particular country or region. The book is filled with plates of carpets you can easily expect to find in a good dealer, unlike most books which give examples you are unlikely to find outside of a museum. The only criticism I would give is that the book is outdated when looking at rugs produced today particularly regarding the production now in Pakistan. Ford also tends to give a very negative view on some carpets without detailed reasons. However this is easily the best book to start your interest.An updated version is surely needed soon.

This review is from: Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols (Paperback)

I bought this book as I love Oriental Carpets but didn't know much about them: i.e. their designs and history. I particularly love Tribal Rugs and after reading this book I went ahead and bought 3 rugs, one of which is illustrated in the book. It is a very easy to read and informative book which is embellished with lovely colour illustations.Well worth the money.

This review is from: Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols (Paperback)

This book contains a very large number of well-printed, large colour photos of a wide range of rug and carpet designs. At the price that I bought it for it is good value for such a useful reference, particularly in respect of Persian carpets and rugs (which dominate oriental carpet design). It also summarises carpet-making. As either a read or a reference, it is let down by an unorthodox grouping of carpets from several locations by motif, at the expense of regional styling; with limited success, as designs may combine motifs.